Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Acting Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that a $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Dawn Reddick, a 29-year-old Charlottesville, Va., school teacher fatally shot in Newark on Friday, July 29.
An autopsy completed today indicates the victim died from a gunshot wound to the head. Ms. Reddick had just purchased food at a Chinese restaurant in the South Ward when she was shot outside the restaurant on Friday. She died from her injuries on Saturday. Three other people were also shot. Two adult males were shot and remain hospitalized. A seven year old girl was grazed by a bullet. The names of the other victims are not being released at this time.
A longtime resident of Newark, Ms. Reddick had relocated to the Charlottesville, Virginia, area but returned to Newark this weekend to bring back her nephew who had been visiting with family in Virginia.
“The Newark Police Department has been working relentlessly to capture the person responsible for the shooting on Maple Avenue that took the life of the Virginia school teacher, Dawn Reddick,” said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio. “In conjunction with the Homicide Task Force which is comprised of Newark Police Detectives, Investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police, we have been working around the clock, sifting though evidence that has been gathered while investigating every possible lead. We implore the residents of Newark who may have seen anything that evening that may help in our investigation to call the department’s anonymous tip line at 877-695-8477 to report it,’’ added DeMaio.
Similar sentiment was expressed by Acting Prosecutor Murray.
“I want to offer my condolences to the Reddick Family and ensure the family that we are doing everything within our power to bring to justice those responsible for this crime. Detectives have been working around the clock,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
“Dawn Reddick should be looking forward to another school year teaching third graders. Instead, her parents are planning her funeral, something no parent should have to do for a healthy, vibrant 29-year-old,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray. “This sort of random and senseless violence has to stop.’’
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-847-7432 or the Newark Police Department tips line at 1-877-695-8477.
